'I once sent a telegram to 12 of my friends saying ALL IS DISCOVERED - FLEE AT ONCE. They all left town immediately.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- A fabricated alarmist message caused friends to flee town, highlighting the power of false rumors.
- In plain terms
- A fake warning made people leave quickly.
- What can you take from it?
- False information can cause panic and rapid action.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Why do people believe alarming news quickly?
- How can you verify information before sharing?
Another view
It trivializes the real harm caused by spreading dangerous misinformation.
More from Mark Twain
A lie can make it half way around the world before the truth has time to put its boots on. (This has also been attributed to Winston Churchill.)
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